Postal workers protest Staples

JOHNS CREEK, Ga – Protesters from the local American Postal Workers Union No. 32 gathered Aug. 12 at the corner of McGinnis Ferry Road and Peachtree Parkway in Johns Creek. They were out in opposition to a program started in conjunction with Staples to allow the retailer to handle some U.S. Postal Service functions.

In a statement, the protesters said, “A no-bid deal between Staples and the Postal Service set up postal counters inside 82 of the office-supply stores in four test markets – staffed with untrained, low-wage Staples employees. Staples and the USPS plan to expand the program to Staples’ 1,500 locations nationwide.”

The program gained significant opposition from the Postal Workers’ Union as well as the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers. While the pilot program was halted after the opposition, the protesters claim the overall program will continue.

“The Staples deal will replace full-service U.S. postal offices with knock-off post offices in Staples that are not staffed with U.S. Postal Service employees. You have a right to post offices staffed by workers who are accountable to you and the American people. You have a right to postal service provided by highly trained, uniformed Postal Service employees, who are sworn to safeguard your mail – whether it’s at the post office or Staples.”